Help! When to go!

[Denisebrum]

Thanks to a lovely gift, we are of to Disney next year. I am so excited! But I am torn. We need to go with minumum disruption to school. I have 3 kids 1 starting reception next September. I have been looking at where to go and when. PORiverside looks a good option, with room for 5 in the room. We were looking at going in October, 1/2 term plus a week, but, for about the same price we could go in the last week of August/1st week of September, with free dining plan, which would save us alot of money, but the weather looks hotter than a hot place!
Any advice?
If it's any help, we went and stayed off site 4 years ago, and had a fab time.
Oh also, do we need a hire car for the whole time, or could we just get one for the days we want to go to Universal, and can we hire one there?

Thanks!
Denise

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

Car hire, personally I would rent one for the whole holiday, I guess staying on-site you could to a degree have a great holiday without one. However, in my opinion a car is a must to have that freedom and flexibility to travel around whenever you choose.
Overall it's just down to personal choice I guess.

As for when to go, having been in August a couple of times I would say if you can go any other time then do so. The weather last year was 95 degrees plus most of the time and it really can affect the enjoyment of the holiday.
October weather should be ideal so that would get my vote - August is a difficult one as that's when many have to go because of the school holidays, but if you can go at another time I would do.

Also I am not a big fan of the DDP, I have found crowd levels in the summer have changed since it was introduced. Normally last 2 weeks of August onwards it's a lot quieter around the parks but the DDP I feel has made it busier - a shame as we relied on the low crowds to offset against the high temperatures, the last thing I want is a busy park and intense heat too.

 

[deejay-55]

Have you considered renting a villa or condo from a private owner - ther eare some nice rental resorts near to Disney that are less expensive than staying onsite

 

[Goofyish]

Welcome to the DIS Denise

We have stayed at POR twice and it's our favourite resort. It has some really nice landscaping, quiet pools for relaxing and a great main pool with a slide to keep the kids happy
The food court is also really good, with plenty of choice and seating.
The boat to Downtown Disney is also a nice plus.

As for a car, if you only plan to go off-site to Universal/IOA then I don't think you need to get a car for the whole 2 weeks.
Disney transport is efficient and easy to use so a car isn't essential. Although some people like to drive to the parks from their resort to save time.
There are other options to get to Universal - towncar, cab or Mears shuttle. A car would give you more flexibility and allow you to go to go off-site shopping as well as going to Universal/IOA. You can arrange car rental on-site. They will pick you up from your resort and take you to the Disney Car Care Centre to collect your car.

August is hot and humid. It can also be very wet with daily thunderstorms.
Given the choice I would go for October when the weather is a little cooler and drier. You also get the bonus of all the Halloween celebrations in October

 

[pigby]

Thanks to a lovely gift, we are of to Disney next year. I am so excited! But I am torn. We need to go with minumum disruption to school. I have 3 kids 1 starting reception next September. I have been looking at where to go and when. PORiverside looks a good option, with room for 5 in the room. We were looking at going in October, 1/2 term plus a week, but, for about the same price we could go in the last week of August/1st week of September, with free dining plan, which would save us alot of money, but the weather looks hotter than a hot place!
Any advice?
If it's any help, we went and stayed off site 4 years ago, and had a fab time.
Oh also, do we need a hire car for the whole time, or could we just get one for the days we want to go to Universal, and can we hire one there?

Thanks!
Denise

Hi Denise

I would definitely go the end of August/beginning of September to save money - we are going during that time again and the weather really isn't so bad. Yes it is in hurricane season but we were lucky enough to go twice in 2005 and in the summer, it rained twice briefy but in the October holidays, we had Hurricane Wilma so you can never tell. I know you have young children and sometimes the hot weather can be a challenge but if you stay on site you can nip back to your hotel for an afternoon break - my DD is older now (13) but we have been going at this time of year since she was little.

We also have been twice in October holidays and I love the Halloween party and Food and Wine Festival - but I found the pools to be too cold to swim (but then I'm a wimp) - but you won't get your free dining.

As for hiring a car to go to Universal, we hired acar once for a week in the middle of our 2 week holiday and we have also used Mears but we prefer to do a split stay - next year we are doing 12 nights at Coronado Springs in WDW and then 2 nights at Universal to do the 2 parks up there - we will use a towncar to do the 3 way journey - airport-WDW-Universal-airport. Would have gone a bit longer at Universal but that free dining is too tempting.

 

[Denisebrum]

Hmmm, you lot aren't much help! lol
We have looked at Villas and appartments, but I really fancy staying on site this time.

I think we will just have to bite the bullet and book, because the more I look the more confused I get!

I have been reading here for a couple of months and have my " Brit Guide" on pre order at Amazon, I just want to go NOW!

Denise

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The thing about the weather is the afternoon storms are not much of an inconvenience.
However , the heat is a different matter - in August this year the temp was over 100 at times, and whilst the summer holidays make it a popular time to go there is a fair percentage who ideally would not visit at this time if they had the choice.
Many of us who are lucky to have been to Florida several times still struggle in the summer, and the high humidity too is also a factor.
Unfortunatley although our next trip is next March we are kind of stuck with summer, with my son at school and my wife is a teacher...but when we went in August last year Joshua just didn't enjoy his time around the parks at all, we couldn't even be bothered with the short walk from the Boardwalk to EPCOT because on the day in question it was 102 degrees!

I love coming home with a nice sun tan, but walking around the parks in August can be hard work, especially if you have children.
Naturally everyone has different tolerance levels, but to be blunt August v. October if a choice is available personally I would go for the latter (despite the savings on the DDP).

As for the on-site debate, why don't you do what we do and have a split stay and rent a villa for part of the holiday?
Either way I still feel a car is a big advantage.